I-130-019 REV Biometrics Supporting Statement

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR

Petition for Alien Relative

OMB Control No.: 1615-0012

COLLECTION INSTRUMENT(S): Form I-130; Form I-130A

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Section 204 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to petition on behalf of certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States.

Any alien may be required to submit biometric information if the regulations or form instructions require such information or if requested in accordance with 8 C.F.R. 103.2(b)(9). The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may collect and store for present or future use, by electronic or other means, the biometric information submitted by an alien. DHS may use this biometric information to conduct background and security checks, adjudicate immigration and naturalization benefits, and perform other functions related to administering and enforcing the immigration and naturalization laws. See 8 C.F.R. 103.16; 8 U.S.C. 1103

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The data collected on Form I-130 will be used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish the existence of a relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States. A separate form is required to be completed for each eligible family member who wishes to immigrate except for certain instances as explained in the instructions for the I-130. The family member who is requesting the action for their alien relative will complete the form as the respondent (petitioner). The petitioning relative no longer must complete a separate Form G-325A, Biographic Information [Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1615-0008], for themselves; the information is now collected within Form I-130.

Beneficiary spouses will now complete Form I-130A and are no longer required to submit information via Form G-325A. The information collected on this form will allow USCIS to verify the spousal relationship.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Form I-130 and I-130A are available online at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130.pdf and the respondent can complete the forms and save the electronically. Additionally, USCIS Form I-130 is now also available to be filed electronically.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The information collected by Forms I-130 and I-130A is required for the purpose and must be the current information at the time of filing.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

There is no impact to small business or other small entities by this collection of information.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the information requested on Forms I-130 and I-130A is not collected, USCIS will not have a mechanism for collecting the information necessary to adjudicate petitions for alien relatives. This would prevent alien relatives of qualifying family members from being be able to enter the United States as allowed under the directing statute.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• Requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• In connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

• Requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• That includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

This information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the data and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

USCIS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for RIN 1615-AC99 in the Federal Register, which can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

USCIS does not provide any payment for benefit sought.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation or agency policy.

There is no assurance of confidentiality.

This collection is covered under the following Privacy Impact Assessment:

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-010 Person Centric Query Service (PCQS), March 8, 2016;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-016 Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS 3) and Associated Systems, June 30, 2020;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-046 Customer Scheduling and Services, December 7, 2017;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-048 USCIS International Biometric Processing Services, November 12, 2015;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-056 USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS), September 30, 2024;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-057 National Appointment Scheduling System, June 17, 2022;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-060 Customer Profile Management System, September 27, 2024;

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-071 myUSCIS Account Experience, June 28, 2019; and

• DHS/USCIS/PIA-056(a) USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS).

The collection is covered under the following System of Records Notices:

• DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records, September 18, 2017, 82 FR 43556;

• DHS/USCIS-007 Benefits Information System, October 10, 2019, 84 FR 54622;

• DHS/USCIS-010 Asylum Information and Pre-Screening System of Records, November 30, 2015, 80 FR 74781;

• DHS/USCIS-017 Refugee Case Processing and Security Screening Information System of Records, October 19, 2016, 81 FR 72075; and

• DHS/USCIS-018 Immigration Biometric and Background Check (IBBC) System of Records, July 31, 2018, 83 FR 36950

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are questions of a sensitive nature such as those requiring evidence demonstrating the bona fides of a familial relationship. However, this information is required in order for a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to petition on behalf of certain alien relatives under section 204 of the INA.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.

Type of Respondent	Form Name / Form Number	No. of Respondents	No. of Responses per Respondent	Total Number of Responses	Avg. Burden per Response (in hours)	Total Annual Burden (in hours)	Avg. Hourly Wage Rate	Total Annual Respondent Cost
Individuals or Households	Petition for Alien Spouse / I-130	437,500	1	437,500	1.817	794,938	$39.52	$31,415,930
Individuals or Households	I-130 E-filing	437,500	1	437,500	1.5	656,250	$39.52	$25,935,000
Individuals or Households	Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary / I-130A	40,775	1	40,775	0.833	33,966	$39.52	$1,342,320
Individuals or Households	Biometric processing	915,775	1	915,775	1.17	1,071,457	$39.52	$42,349,934
Total				1,831,550		2,556,611		$101,043,183.82

* The above Average Hourly Wage Rate is the May 2022 May 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics average wage for All Occupations of $29.76 times the wage rate benefit multiplier of 1.46 (to account for benefits provided) equaling $43.45. The selection of “All Occupations” was chosen because respondents to this collection could be expected from any occupation.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995; (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government; or, (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no capital, start-up, operational or maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. For informational purposes only, the filing fee for Form I-130 is $675 for paper filing and $625 for online filing.

This information collection may impose some out-of-pocket costs on respondents in addition to the time burden for the form’s preparation. Costs may include payments for document translation and preparation services, attorney and legal fees, postage, and costs associated with gathering documentation. USCIS estimates that the average cost for these activities is $400 for respondents that file Form I-130 (Form I-130A is filed with I-130 and costs are estimated to cover both submissions), although not all respondents will incur every cost. The estimated out of pocket cost to respondents is 875,000 respondents multiplied by the average cost per response of $400, which equals $350,000,000.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

USCIS establishes its fees using an activity-based costing model to assign costs to an adjudication based on its relative adjudication burden and use of USCIS resources. Fees are established at an amount that is necessary to recover these assigned costs, plus an amount to recover unassigned overhead (which includes the suggested average hourly rate for clerical, officer, and managerial time with benefits) and immigration benefits provided for free. USCIS uses the fee associated with an information collection as a reasonable measure of the collection’s costs to USCIS, since these fees are based on resource expenditures related to the benefit in question. In addition, this figure includes the estimated overhead cost for printing, stocking, distributing and processing of this form.

The estimated cost of the program to the Federal government is calculated by using the estimated number of respondents (875,000) multiplied by the filing fee charge ($675). The total cost to the Federal government is $590,625,000.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reporting in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.

This information collection has been revised to reflect program changes stemming from the proposed rulemaking.  These changes include updating instructional content associated with the biometric submission requirements.

Data collection Activity/Instrument	Program Change (hours currently on OMB Inventory)	Program Change (New)	Difference	Adjustment (hours currently on OMB Inventory)	Adjustment (New)	Difference
Petition for Alien Spouse / I-130	794,938	794,938	0
I-130 E-filing	656,250	656,250	0
Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary / I-130A	33,966	33,966	0
Biometric processing	0	1,071,457	1,071,457
Total(s)	1,485,154	2,556,611	1,071,457

USCIS is reporting an increase in the estimated annual hour burden to respondents for this information as a result of this change. Respondents of this information collection will be required to submit biometrics. USCIS is accounting for the estimated average burden per response in this revision action for submission of biometrics. USCIS estimates the average burden per response for biometric processing is 1.17 hours. 

There is no change to the estimated annual cost burden to respondents for this information collection as a result of the proposed rulemaking.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

USCIS will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission,” of OMB 83-I.

USCIS does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods.

There is no statistical methodology involved with this collection.

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